Sarah DeLeo: Vocalist

A Fresh Classic
Jazz vocalist Sarah DeLeo takes the best from the masters and combines it with her own signature style to produce a 'fresh classic.'

"Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, and Aretha Franklin- they had the greatest impact on me as a young singer," says Sarah. "I spent hours with their recordings listening and experimenting with my own voice. After a while, I went beyond mimicking them to actually presenting my own style." And many would agree that this fresh spin on classics is what makes Sarah so enjoyable to listen to and watch.

Sarah began singing at the age of nine, and soon after discovered her lifelong passion for singing standards. While a high school student at Choate Rosemary Hall, Sarah developed an interest in improvisation and embarked on her own study of the jazz repertoire by listening to the recordings of John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and Sarah Vaughan, among others. Growing up Sarah also grabbed any opportunity available to sing, performing in groups ranging from classical choir, to gospel choir, to pop a cappella. During the summer breaks from high school and later Barnard College, she would return home to Waterbury, Connecticut to perform in community theater.

After college Sarah began her career singing at jam sessions and in piano bars throughout Manhattan. "I became a regular. I took advantage of any opportunity to listen, learn, and of course, sing. Every time in front of the mic was practice," remembers Sarah. "I found guidance from working musicians and performers I met in the clubs."

One such person who provided invaluable guidance was singer/songwriter Lina Koutrakos. "Studying with Lina was amazing. She created an environment in which I felt comfortable to improvise musically and to develop my skills as a lyric interpreter. I really began to come into my own as a performer during this period. When I started performing solo gigs, I incorporated all of my experiences." She has also studied with jazz musicians Jay Clayton, Dena DeRose, Giacomo Gates, and Kirk Nurock. Sarah's repertoire consists of jazz and pop standards from the 1920s through 1960s along with blues and contemporary tunes in the style of the old standards.

In October of 2005 Sarah released her debut CD, The Nearness of You. The CD garnered critical acclaim and introduced Sarah's work to national and international audiences. William Grim of allaboutjazz.com wrote, "This is a wonderful album that features a delightful voice, imaginative arrangements, and a group of musicians who perform with total musical cohesion." Jeff Rossen of Gay Chicago Magazine said, "Sarah DeLeo delivers a delicious 10-track set that is as enjoyable as it is welcoming, with DeLeo's natural and unaffected performance charming us throughout." The Nearness of You received substantial radio play throughout the United States and abroad. Eric Cohen, Music Director of WAER (Syracuse, New York), proclaimed, "the girl can flat out sing!" The CD has also been influential in the New York City jazz and cabaret scenes.

Venues such as Cornelia Street Café, Detour, and Rockwood Music Hall are some of the places that have seen Sarah light up the crowd. On stage Sarah conveys a natural charm and grace. Audiences appreciate her unique voice (once referred to as her "calling card"), her exquisite phrasing, and her heartfelt interpretations of ballads (which have been described as "beyond her years"). It should come as no surprise that Sarah has been compared to many legendary singers including Shirley Horn, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Julie London, and Sarah Vaughan.